Combined bottle stopper and measuring device



9 7 4, 9 l Rw 2 Aug. 22, 1950 L.. KouKAL COMBINED BOTTLE sToPPER AND MEASURINGDEVICE Filed Dec. 14, 1945 2 .v0 9/ H V f ,/L. G. e i Hm 00%, ,f mwmm W M4 B f 1 7 Patented Aug. 22, 1950 ooMeINEn orrLn srorrEn AND MEasoRrNo nevica Louis Koukal, New York, N. Y. Application December 1li, 1945, Serial No. 535,011

@This invention relates to a combined bottle stopper and liquid measuring device and constitutes an improvement over my issued Patents Nos. 2,141,870 and 2,141,871, both issued Deceniber 27, 1938.

An object of the invention is to provide a device which Will ensure a more even flow of the liquid out of the bottle.

Another object is to provide a construction which is much simpler, inexpensive to manufacture while yet emcient and strong.

Further and more specific objects, features, and advantages will more clearly appear from a consideration of the specication hereinafter, especially when taken in connection with the acn companying drawings which illustrate a present preferred form which the invention may assume and which form part of the specification.

Generally speaking and in brief the invention comprises an 'air vent pipe the inner end of which is normally immersed in the liquid and projects from the liquid when the bottle is inverted to pour in combination with an eXtra air vent hole in said pipe intermediate its length, and preferably near the bottle neck which latter hole is normally above the liquid level and is immersed in the liquid when the bottle is inverted to pour.

The invention further provides simplication of the support for the spiral coil in which the ball valve moves by providing a simple open helical coil projeeting from the liquid pipe in the stopper alongside the air vent pipe and soldered or otherwise fastened thereto at several points.

This provides a suicient strong support for the coil to keep it in alinement at yall times and yet materially reduces the expense of construction and the time of assembly.

This invention is, as to its present preferred form, illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bottle in pouring position.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the bottle.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section of the bottle in pouring position.

The 1bottle comprises the body 'portion iii and the neck lI, in which is disposed the cork stopper I2 enclosing a flanged pouring spout including a liquid dispensing pipe I3 and an air vent pipe Ill. The air vent pipe M at its inner end is connected to an extension thereof in the form of a pipe I5 which extends nearly to the bottom of the bottle. The pipe I3 has a ball valve seat I3 at the inner end thereof.

1 Claim. (ICI. `Z22-4:77)

ln this Iair vent `pipe i5 at a point therein Vwhere the neck II joins the body portion I0 there is an air hole Iii. A helical coil of Wire I'I is connected at one end to the inner end of the liquid dispensing pipe i3 and at the other end is fastened to the air vent pipe I5 in any suitable manner as by soldering. It is also soldered preferably at several points intermediate its length to this pipe I5 which therefore forms Ia support for the coil to keep it in parallel relation to the pipe I5.

Disposed within the helical .coil I'I is the ball valve member I8 the lower position thereof as shown in Figure 2 being defined and limited by the stop member I9 which is a lplug of any suitable material having a spiral groove therein to permit it to be advanced or withdrawn along the axis of the coil. The operation of this ball in the coil is clearly set forth in the same or similar manner in my issued Patents Nos. 2,141,870 and 2,141,871, both. issued December 27, 1938, and of these patents the present invention constitutes an improvement.

In the operation oi this device it will be noted that when the bottle is in the upright non-pouring position as shown in Figure 2 the eXtra air vent hole l 5 is generally disposed above the liquid level and the end of the air vent pipe I5 is disposed in the liquid but when the bottle is inverted and disposed in the pouring position, then the reverse is true and the air vent hole I6 is immersed in the liquid and the end of the air vent pipe I5 is above the liquid as shown in Figure l. It has been found that this improved arrangement and construction gives a much more even and steady flow of the liquid during the pouring action.

rlhe particular manner of supporting the coil on the pipe I5 as contrasted with the construction of the above mentioned patents makes for a much simpler arrangement of parts and one which is easier to assemble and more inexpensive to manufacture and yet is strong and durable and eiiicient in operation.

In the operation oi the device, the bottle is normally disposed upright as shown in Figure 2 and in this position the hole I6 is disposed above the liquid level in the bottle and the free end of the pipe i5 is below the liquid level and immersed in the liquid. However, when the bottle is inverted to the position shown in Figure 1 the free end of ipe i5 projects above the liquid level and the hole I 5 is immersed in the liquid and air bubbles as shown in Figure 3 will pass up through the liquid therefrom. A definitely more even www 3 flow of the liquid ensues due to the seeming stabilizing action of the hole I6. The operation otherwise is the same in substance as indicated in the above mentioned patents. Briefly it -follows that when the bottle is upright as shown in Figure 2 the ball I8 is at the bottom of the guiding and timing coil I1 resting on the adjustable stop member I9. For any position of the ball in this position, it will take a definite time for the ball, when the bottle is inverted, to reach the valve seat I3 at the inner end of the liquid dispensing pipe I3 and shut olf the flow of liquid and therefore this provides a simple means for determining in advance the amount of liquid to be poured out before the flow is interrupted.

By adjusting the position of the stop member theVV time above mentioned can be changed and therefore the amount either decreased or increased.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a present preferred form which the invention may assume, it is not to be limited to such details and form sincey many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence it is desired to cover any and al1 forms and modications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a device of the class described comprising in combination, a receptacle, a closure member therefor having a pouring outlet passage therein, an air vent pipe extending from the closure member adjacent the outlet passage into the receptacle, an open helical coil having one end in alinement with the outlet passage and fastened along its length to and supported from the said pipe, an adjustable stop member within said coil, and a ball valve element in the coil and adapted. when the receptacle is inverted, to move along the coil and close the outlet passage, said air vent npipe-"having an air hole therein adjacent said closure member.

LOUIS KOUKAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date g 921,085 Clark May 11, 1909 1,761,479 Kuykendall June 3, 1930 2,141,871 Koukal Dec. 27, 1938 

